Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Washington County Chapter received Congressional Recognition from Congressman Timothy Murphy, R-18th District, as well as awards from their squadron for their contributions to the community.

Washington Squadron 601 is a local unit of Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an all-volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and a nonprofit organization that provides search and rescue, emergency services, youth programs, aerospace education and more to the Washington county area. The awards were presented to the following 601 members at their annual banquet at the Washington Elks Lodge:

• Cadet Capt. Adam Parker, a junior at Peters Township High School, received the U.S. Air Force Association’s (AFA) Annual Civil Air Patrol Outstanding Squadron Cadet of the Year Award for his exceptional achievements, leadership and commitment to his squadron. A member of Washington Squadron 601 since October 2008, Cadet Capt. Parker has served as the squadron’s Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) representative for Group One of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and was also appointed as a state CAC representative for CAP’s Pennsylvania Wing (PAWG).

• Cadet 2nd Lt. Tiffany Trunk, a senior at Peters Township High School, earned CAP’s General Billy Mitchell Award, which is presented after completing the first eight achievements of the CAP cadet program, and passing a 100 question exam testing leadership theory and aerospace topics. Awardees are eligible for advanced placement if they choose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, as well as advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC program. Trunk also received the first place CAP Balsem National Public Affairs award for her work with Wreaths Across America and raising awareness for our nation’s veterans. She has been a member of Washington Squadron 601 since July 2009.

• Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Miguel Francisco, an eighth-grader at Commonwealth Connections Academy in Washington and member of the unit since September 2011, was named 601’s Cadet of the Year for 2012. Francisco was also the squadron’s first member to ever receive CAP’s Community Service Ribbon, which he received for volunteering more than 108 hours for the Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, Heroes Without Families, Fallen Soldiers, VA Hospital fundraisers and other local charitable organizations.

• Capt. Nancy Parker, a resident of Peters Township and a teacher at Bower Hill Elementary School, received Washington Squadron 601’s Senior Member of the year for 2012. In addition, she was also presented with the Civil Air Patrol’s Achievement Award. A member of CAP since August 2009, both awards recognized Capt. Parker for her outstanding contributions to the unit, Civil Air Patrol and her community.

Capt. Edward Silassy, commander of Washington Squadron 601, said it is an honor to work with such a great group of individuals.

“Not only did these members go above and beyond as volunteers for their communities, but they continue to serve as outstanding examples to others in their squadron and Civil Air Patrol members across the country,” said Silassy. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented group of people as part of our unit.”

Washington Squadron 601 meets every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Washington. For more information on Squadron 601, visit www.squadron601.us or attend a meeting. To learn more about CAP, go to www.gocivilairpatrol.com.